Definition: And Saul, and Jonathan his son, and the people [that were] present with them, abode in Gibeah of Benjamin: but the Philistines encamped in Michmash.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from 1 Samuel 13:16. It's a really important story about God’s plan and how He chooses who to lead his people. Here’s what it means, explained simply: The Basic Idea: God is Choosing a Leader: God was looking for someone strong and capable to lead Israel into battle. A Specific Location is Chosen: He chose a specific area – Gibeah – which was a neighborhood of the family of Benjamin (a very important line of Jewish leaders). The Philistines Are Camping: The Philistines, who were enemies of Israel, were camping (meaning they were setting up camp) in Michmash. Michmash is a place near the coast of Israel – it’s a bit further away from the main battle zones. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “And Saul, and Jonathan his son…” : This tells us who was involved – Saul, the leader of Israel, and his son, Jonathan. “…and the people [that were] present with them…” : It means that many Israelites were nearby. "...abode in Gibeah of Benjamin..." : Gibeah was a district within the neighborhood of Benjamin’s family. Think of it like a protective zone for their lineage. "...but the Philistines encamped in Michmash." : This is the key part! The Philistines were setting up camp, but they were not fighting – they were just resting and preparing for a future battle. They were camping in a place further away from the main action. What’s the Significance? This story is significant because it shows God's plan of victory. He deliberately chose a location that was strategically important for the Philistines to be able to prepare for the battle. It demonstrates God’s control and His ability to orchestrate events in a way that ultimately leads to a righteous outcome. In short, it means God is choosing a leader and placing them in a specific area to help prepare for a future conflict. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse from 1 Samuel? Discuss the historical context of this story?